The Great and Growing God - Entertainment!

In case you did not notice, Michael Jackson died. His was a sad and tragic story of a hugely famous, immensely talented, and extraordinarily wealthy cultural icon, whose life was very broken and confused. I am sorry for his family and friends who are legitimately grieving his passing.
However, this is not about Michael Jackson. We have all had our fill of the debates about his music, his morality, and the nuances of his personal life. I have no compulsion to weigh in on this. This devotion is about our need to fully grasp this present snapshot of our culture that was captured by the events celebrating Jackson’s entertainment legacy.

Desperate for Entertaining Stimulation
The insightful and prophetic writer and pastor A.W. Tozer wrote about our society’s captivation with entertainment in a chapter titled, “The Great God Entertainment.” His words say it better than mine do:
“. . . the more a man has in his own heart the less he will require from the outside; excessive need for support from without is proof of the bankruptcy of the inner man. . . The present inordinate attachment to every form of entertainment is evidence that the inner life of modern man is in serious decline. The average man has no central core of moral assurance, no spring within his own breast, no inner strength to place him above the need for repeated psychological shots to give him the courage to go on living. He has become a parasite on the world drawing his life from his environment, unable to live a day apart from the stimulation which society affords him.”
He goes on to observe, “There are millions who cannot live without amusement; life without some form of entertainment for them is simply intolerable; they look forward to the blessed relief afforded by professional entertainers and other forms of psychological narcotics as a dope addict looks to his daily shot of heroin. Without them they could not summon courage to face existence.”
Tozer’s words hardly seem like something written in the mid-50’s. Think of what he might observe today in our media -dominated, celebrity-crazed, and technology-titillated society. His article would surely become a book of many chapters. Once again, we find ourselves worshiping at the altar of “The Great God Entertainment,” cheered on by money-hungry media as we bow in adulation before the latest celebrity icons.
Of course, Tozer quickly adds, as I would, that life is full of legitimate simple pleasures. There is nothing wrong with harmless forms of entertainment that help us relax, stimulate our minds, and enable us to connect with others. We need to find time for good reading, wholesome movies, stimulating hobbies, healthy recreation, and fun with friends and family. If we are burning the candle at both ends we are not as bright as we think we are.
Again, Tozer clarifies, “The all-out devotion to entertainment as a major activity for which and by which men live is definitely something else again. The abuse of a harmless thing is the essence of sin.”
So what is the real concern over our abusive interest with entertainment as was so vividly pictured in the media’s madness over Jackson’s entertainment value in this society?

Many Americans Worship Those who Entertain Them
“Entertain me and I will worship you” almost seems to be the common cry of the empty-souled American. “Worship” may seem a strong word but it is hard to deny the blatant adulation and willing sacrifice of money, time, and attention given to entertainment icons in our culture.
The Apostle Paul warned of these societal trends in 2 Timothy 3, where he wrote, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves. . .lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Tozer again speaks with insight and courage about this very issue when he writes, “It (entertainment) has been built into a multimillion dollar racket with greater power over human minds and human character than any other educational influence on earth. And the ominous thing is that its power is almost exclusively evil, rotting the inner life, crowding out the long eternal thoughts which would fill the souls of men if they were worthy to entertain them. And the whole thing has grown into a veritable religion which holds its devotees with strange fascination, and a religion, incidentally, against which it is now dangerous to speak. “
Again, recent news stories show us the incredible influence entertainment holds over swooning fans that faint at the sight of a celebrity and spend exorbitant amounts of money for the latest sound, sight, or sensation dished out by famous and talented entertainers.
True Christ-followers must carefully discern this and resist the lure of excessive and unprofitable entertainment, remembering the first two commandments to worship the Lord God alone and refusing the lure of any kind of idolatry (Exodus 20:3-6). The aged Apostle John appealed to us, “Little children, guard yourselves from idols” (I John 5: 21).
We should also remember to pray for those we know who are bowing before the god of Entertainment, as we demonstrate the life of Christ and pray for their eyes to be opened to the truth that can fill their souls with life-changing substance and set them free. We also need to pray for those in the entertainment industry to experience an awakening of grace and truth. I am grateful for people like Jim and Karen Covell who have decided to light a candle rather than curse the darkness as they lead the Hollywood Prayer Network, interceding for those in the entertainment industry to turn to Christ (check it out at www.hollywoodprayernetwork.org).
Next week we make two additional observations. First, we will see that many Americans despise those who lead them to worship. Then, we will address the concern that many Christians have confused worship with entertainment. As we conclude this two-part devotional we will seek to set our hearts on a deep pursuit of the person and presence of Christ that surpasses the superficial satisfaction of mere entertainment